Cricket Etiquette

Cricket etiquette is important.

Cricket, a popular game that began in England, has a customary set of etiquette rules. Over time, some of these traditions may have lost their luster, but using proper cricket etiquette shows good sportsmanship, manners and respect for the opposing team.

The Umpire

Always accept the decision of the umpire, even if you don't agree with it. Even if you feel that the umpire's decision is unfair, you must not voice that. It may be difficult when you start your cricket career, but over time you will realize that just as there are decisions against you, there will be others in your favor.

Walking Out

Though no longer widely practiced, it is proper etiquette to walk when you know you have an edge through to the wicketkeeper that was missed by the umpire. It's not the popular choice, but it does lead to fewer arguments.

Wasting Time

Any time a player is deemed to be intentionally wasting time on the field, the umpire issues a first and final warning to the entire team. If this happens again within the current innings, five runs are automatically rewarded to the opposing team.

Batsman Etiquette

It's considered good cricket etiquette to applaud the new batsman as he comes onto the field. Doing so shows fine sportsmanship. Also, intentionally trying to obstruct or distract the batsman during play can result in a dead ball being called by the umpire and five penalty runs being given to the batsman's team.

Dangerous bowling is also a gaffe that should be avoided; it involves using short or high full-pitched repetitive bowling that could potentially cause physical injury to the batsman. This will result in a no-ball call and a warning for the bowler. If he continues, a final warning is issued. If the actions still aren't changed, the umpire can ask the fielding's side captain to remove the bowler. He will be banned from bowling again during that innings.

Cleaning the Ball

When cleaning the cricket ball, never use an artificial substance. It's important that nothing is done to change the seam or surface of the ball and affect its condition, as this is not allowed.

Pitch Damaging

Players are responsible for making sure that pitches are not damaged during play. Bowlers should stay off "protected areas" of the pitch. This is described as an invisible rectangular area that extends 1 foot from either side of the middle stump and 5 feet up front. In this instance, a bowler can be warned twice by the umpire before directing the fielding captain to take him off, preventing him from bowling again in that innings. When a fielder damages a pitch, a caution is issued to the fielding captain and a repeat occurrence results in five runs being awarded to the batting side. If a batsman damages a pitch, he receives a caution from the umpire; a second occurrence calls for any runs gained from that delivery to be disallowed.

References

• BBC Sport Academy: Etiquette
• Cric Info: Cricket Explained (An American Viewpoint)